Survivor testimony centers debate on "Avery's Law" to stiffen penalties after dog maulings

A seventh-grade survivor of a dog mauling and multiple law-enforcement and county witnesses told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Oct. 8 that House Bill 247, commonly described in testimony as "Avery's Law," is needed to close legal gaps that they say let dangerous dogs remain with owners after severe attacks.

"I truly thought I was going to die," Avery Russell told the committee, describing a play-date attack that led to numerous surgeries and ongoing rehabilitation. "The Pfeiffer Avery's Law gives me hope." The mother, Drew Russell, described lengthy hospital care, multiple surgeries, and disappointment with local sentencing that she said left the dog owner able to keep at least one of the animals.

Supporters said the bill would revise Ohio law on nuisance, dangerous and vicious dogs,…